Simultaneously crimping and commingling yarns

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and process for simultaneous crimping and commingling of continuous filament yarns are provided. The yarn is introduced as feed into a fluid contact chamber in which the yarn is contacted with a heated fluid, such as steam, substantially coaxially to the longitudinal axis of the fluid contact chamber. The yarn is then directed under the force of the heated fluid through a first energy tube wherein the yarn absorbs a portion of the heat of the fluid, and is then passed into an expansion chamber wherein the yarn impacts upon a portion of the interior surface of the chamber. The impacted yarn is then passed into a second energy tube wherein the yarn absorbs additional heat, and thence into a stuffer tube wherein the flow of yarn is impeded, thereby establishing a yarn plug from which crimped and commingled yarn is subsequently removed. In a second embodiment, the expansion chamber and second energy tube are positioned such that the yarn impacts upon an interior surface of the second energy tube.

United States Patent [19] Butler et al.

[451 Apr. 1, 1975 SIMULTANEOUSLY CRIMPING AND COMMINGLING YARNS [75]Inventors: Russell H. Butler, Dover; l-lendrikus J. Oswald; Young D.Kwon, both of Morristown, all of NJ.

[73] Assignee: Allied Chemical Corporation, New

York, NY.

[22] Filed: Mar. 8, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 449,427

Primary Examiner-Louis K. Rimrodt Attorney, Agent, or FirmArthur J.Plantamura; Jack B. Murray, Jr.

YARN FEED \l\ [57] ABSTRACT Apparatus and process for simultaneouscrimping and commingling of continuous filament yarns are provided. Theyarn is introduced as feed into a fluid contact chamber in which theyarn is contacted with a heated fluid, such as steam, substantiallycoaxially to the longitudinal axis of the fluid contact chamber. Theyarn is then directed under the force of the heated fluid through afirst energy tube wherein the yarn absorbs a portion of the heat of thefluid, and is then passed into an expansion chamber wherein the yarnimpacts upon a portion of the interior surface of the chamber. Theimpacted yarn is then passed into a second energy tube wherein the yarnabsorbs additional heat, and thence into a stuffer tube wherein the flowof yarn is impeded, thereby establishing a yarn plug from which crimpedand commingled yarn is subsequently removed. In a second embodiment, theexpansion chamber and second energy tube are positioned such that theyarn impacts upon an interior surface of the second energy tube.

8 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEUAPR 1197s 3.874.045 saw 2 BF 2 FIG.7

FIG. 5

FIG. 6

SIMULTANEOUSLY CRIMPING AND COMMINGLING YARNS CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATEDAPPLICATIONS This application is related to commonly owned, 00- filedapplication, APPARATUS AND PROCESS FOR SIMULTANEOUS CRIMPING AND COMMIN-GLING OF YARNS, Ser. No. 449,409, filed Mar. 8, 1974 (filed by Y. D.Kwon; Russell H. Butler, H. J. Oswald and D. W. Kim).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION This inventionrelates to process and apparatus for simultaneous crimping andcommingling of continuous filament yarns.

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Synthetic fiber yarn to be employed infabric, such as in carpets and wearing apparel, is frequently subjectedto a crimping process to generate curvilinear twists in the yarn so asto impart elastic stretch and bulk to the yarn. Such yarn is alsosubjected to a commingling process whereby entanglements are insertedbetween adjacent yarn filaments to enhance cohesiveness between thesefilaments. In addition, commingling helps to prevent stray filamentsfrom snagging machine guides during subsequent processing and to preventthe separation of individual yarn ends in jet texturizing processeswhich require more than one yarn end per jet.

In conventional process, the crimping and commingling functions arecarried out separately in different steps. Such a division of functionsincreases process costs and generates increased equipment requirements.Previous attempts to simultaneously crimp and commingle yarn have beenunsuccessful in imparting the desired crimp and commingling properties.Typical dual-function apparatus are those disclosed in US. Pat. No.3,303,546 (issued in 1967 to Van Blerk), US. Pat. No. 3,409,956 (issuedin 1968 to Longbottom et al.) and East German Pat. No. 17,786 (issued in1960 to Bruetting) wherein yarn is contacted with a steam jet positionedcoaxially with respect to the yarn passage axis and US. Pat. No.3,611,698 (issued in 1971 to Horn) wherein pairs of facing steam jetsimpact on a common plane at an angle perpendicular to the yarn passageaxis. In the apparatus of US. Pat. No. 3,409,956, and East German Pat.No. 17,786 coaxial contact of the yarn with steam has the disadvantageof failing to impart any significant amount of commingling to the yarn.In the apparatus of US. Pat. No. 3,61 1,698 the steam jets do not impartany portion of their force in the direction of the yarn travel throughthe apparatus, thereby necessitating the use of a mechanical pullingdevice to cause the yarn to pass through the apparatus. The use of suchmechanical pulling for this purpose is not desirable because it tends todestroy any crimp that has been previously imparted to the yarn.

However, most significantly, these prior art apparatus for simultaneouscrimping and commingling of yarn have failed to provide the levels ofcrimp and commingling previously achieved when these functions werecarried out in separate steps. Thus, the dual-function apparatus failedto simultaneously perform commingling and crimping functions whilemaintaining the desired levels of crimping and commingling whichseparate-function apparatus had previously achieved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, thereare provided apparatus and process for simultaneously crimpingandcommingling continuous filament yarn. The apparatus of the presentinvention comprises: a fluid contact chamber; yarn feed means forfeeding yarn into said fluid contact chamber; heated fluid supply meansfor introducing heated fluid into said fluid contact chambersubstantially along the longitudinal axis of said chamber; a firstenergy tube wherein said yarn absorbs heat from said heated fluid, saidfirst energy being positioned about a longitudinal axis andcommunicating with said contact chamber for yarn passage therethrough,an expansion chamber having a cross-sectional area at its interface withsaid first energy tube which is larger than the cross-sectional area ofsaid first energy tube, said expansion chamber being positioned suchthat said longitudinal axis of said first energy tube intersects animpacting surface in said expansion chamber; a second energy tubewherein said yarn absorbs additional heat from said heated fluid; and astuffer tube for texturizing said yarn; said expansion chamber, saidsecond energy tube and said stuffer tube communicating successively withsaid first energy tube for yarn passage therethrough. In a secondembodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, said expansionchamber and said second energy tube are positioned such that thelongitudinal axis of said first energy tube intersects an impactingsurface in said second energy tube.

The process of the present invention comprises: passing yarn into afluid contact zone; contacting said yarn in said fluid contact zone withheated fluid introduced into said zone substantially coaxially to thelongitudinal axis of said zone; passing said yarn and said heated fluidinto a first heat absorbing zone wherein said yarn absorbs heat fromsaid heated fluid; directing the yarn under the influence of said heatedfluid into an expansion zone having a cross-sectional area at itsinterface with said first heat absorbing zone which is larger than thecross-sectional area of said first heat absorbing zone, said expansionzone being positioned such that yarn passing from said first heatabsorbing zone impacts upon an impacting surface in said expansion zone;passing the yarn and said heated fluid from said expansion zone into asecond heat, absorbing zone, wherein the yarn absorbs additional heatfrom said heated fluid; passing the yarn and heated fluid from saidsecond heat absorbing zone into a texturizing zone, wherein the flow ofyarn is impeded, thereby establishing a yarn plug; exhausting heatedfluid from said texturizing zone; and removing crimped and commingledyarn from said yarn plug. In a second embodiment of the process of thepresent invention, said expansion zone and said second heat absorbingzone are positioned such that yarn passing from said first heatabsorbing zone impacts upon an impacting surface in said second heatabsorbing zone.

It has been found that the present invention enables simultaneousachievement of levels of crimp which are comparable to, and levels ofcommingling which are superior than, the levels which result fromconventional processes in which crimping and commingling steps aresequentially performed. In addition, the process and apparatus of thepresent invention have the advantage of imparting such improved crimpand commingling properties in a single apparatus, thereby decreasingequipment requirements and reducing processing costs by as much as 50percent. Furthermore, the substantially coaxial introduction of heatedfluid into the apparatus of the present invention enables easierstarting of the apparatus and greatly aids in forcing the yarn throughthe apparatus, thereby decreasing the necessity for mechanically pullingthe yarn therethrough.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of theapparatus of the present invention.

FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 are cross-sectional views of first energy tube,expansion chamber and second energy tube of apparatus of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic illustration of a typical process employing theapparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of the vibration of yarn in the energy tube ofthe prior art apparatus of US. Pat. No. 3,409,956.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of the vibration of yarn in the second energytube of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As indicated above, the processand apparatus of the present invention allow the simultaneous crimpingand commingling of continuous filament yarn. In the apparatus of thepresent invention, the yarn is contacted in a fluid contact chamber withheated fluid, e.g. steam, supplied through a nozzle by a pressurizedsource, substantially coaxially to the longitudinal axis of the zone,thereby causing the yarn to pass into and through a first energy tubewherein the yarn absorbs at least a portion of the heat from the heatedfluid. The yarn then passes into a portion of the apparatus, i.e. theexpansion chamber and the second energy tube, wherein the yarn impactsupon an impacting surface.

The term impacting surface" is herein meant to define that portion ofthe interior walls of the yarn passages of the present invention uponwhich the yarn first impacts after passing out of the first energy tube.In the preferred embodiment the impacting surface comprises the chamberwall which define the expansion zone. However, the impacting surface mayalso comprise the inner wall of the second energy tube.

The heated fluid used to treat continuous filament yarns in the presentinvention may be air, steam or any other compressible fluid or vaporcapable of plasticizing action on the yarn. Hot air will give sufficientplasticization in the expansion zone for many fibers although it may bedesirable for certain fibers to supplement the temperature effect withan auxiliary plasticizing medium. Actually, steam is preferentially usedin the subject process since it is a cheap and convenient source of ahigh pressure fluid with a compound plasticizing action.

The temperature of the fluid medium must be regulated so that the yarntemperatures do not reach the melting point of the fiber. However, withfibers made from fusible polymers, the most effective bulking and thegreatest productivity are obtained when the temperature of the heatedfluid in the impacting zone is above the melting point of the fiber. Inthis case, the yarn speed should be great enough so that melting doesnot occur. In a preferred embodiment, the yarn to be crimped andcommingled is contacted in the fluid contact zone with steam supplied ata temperature within the range of about 150 to 500C. and preferably 200to 450C. and at a pressure of from about 5 to 200 psig. and preferably 5to psig.

The velocity at which the heatd fluid is passed through apparatus 10 isnot critical, and the process of the present invention may employ anyheated fluid velocity which is sufficient to carry the yarnlongitudinally through the passages 14, 18, 24 and 26 and into passage28. However, heated fluid velocity of less than sonic velocity ispreferred.

With reference to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to the sameor similar element, in FIG. 1 the apparatus of the present invention isindicated generally at 10 and includes: yarn contact chamber 11 definingfluid contact zone 21; feeder tube 22; nozzle 12; first energy tube 13defining first energy tube passage 14; offset expansion chamber 17defining expansion zone 18; second energy tube 23 defining passage 24;and stuffer tube 27 defining texturizing passage 28 and provided withfluid escape vents 29.

Nozzle 12, which comprises the heated fluid supply means in FIG. 1, ispositioned so as to emit heated fluid into fluid contact zone 21substantially along longitudinal axis 16 of zone 21 in the direction ofyarn travel through apparatus 10.

Feeder tube 22, which comprises the yarn feed means in FIG. 1, is housedin fluid contact chamber 11 to communicate fluid contact zone 21 with ayarn feed source (not shown) for passage of yarn into apparatus 10 fortreatment. Fluid contact zone 21 preferably converges in the directionof yarn passage through apparatus 10 to aid in passing yarn and heatedfluid from zone 21 into first energy tube passage 14. Zone 21 is definedby surface 41 which may be either flat or curved and, thus, zone 21 maybe of various geometric shapes, such as for example conical,semi-spherical, hyperbolic and parabolic.

First energy tube 13 is positioned about axis 16 and communicates withfluid contact zone 21 to provide for yarn passage therethrough. Whilepreheating of first energy tube 13 is not required, tube 13 may beheated to a temperature of from about 40 to 300C. by a suit ableexternal heating means, as for example, steam heating coils 42, so as tofurther heat yarn passing therethrough and to increase the levels ofcrimp imparted therein. So as to provide for increased ease of passageof yarn into expansion chamber 17, the longitudinal axis of first energytube passage 14 in the preferred embodiment coincides with longitudinalaxis 16 of zone 21, and the inside diameter of passage 14 substantiallycorresponds to the diameter of the opening formed by surface 41 at theinterface between zone 21 and passage 14.

Expansion chamber 17, which converges in the direction of yarn passagetherethrough, communicates successively with first energy tube passage14 and second energy tube passage 24 and has a cross-sectional area atits interface with first energy tube 13 which is larger than thecross-sectional area of first energy tube 13. Expansion zone 18, whichmay be symmetrical or assymmetrical, is defined by expansion chamberwall 19, which may be either flat or curved. Where zone 18 is symmetric,the axis of symmetry of zone 18 preferably corresponds to longitudinalaxis 20 of second energy tube 23, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4.Symmetrical geometrical shapes which zone 18 may have are, for example,semi-spherical, parabolic, conical, hyperbolic and elliptical, with theconical and parabolic shapes being preferred.

Expansion chamber 17 is preferably positioned so as to cause thelongitudinal axis of first energy tube 13 to intersect expansion chamberwall 19. In operation of the preferred embodiment, therefore, yarnpassing from first energy tube 13 impacts upon an impacting surface inexpansion chamber 17, i.e. wall 19. FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 illustrate such anarrangement of chamber 17 and tubes 13 and 23. According to a secondembodiment, expansion chamber 17 and second energy tube 23 arepositioned so as to cause longitudinal axis 16 of first energy tube 13to intersect inner surface 23a of second energy tube 23. In operation ofan apparatus having such a configuation, yarn passing from first energytube 13 first impacts upon an impacting surface in second energy tube23, i.e. surface 23a. FIG. 4 illustrates such an arrangement of chamber17 and tubes 13 and 23.

Where expansion zone 18 is symmetric, the interrelationships discussedabove between zone 18 and tubes 13 and 23 may be further defined withreference to longitudinal axis 16 of first energy tube 13 and the axisof symmetry of zone 18. The axis of symmetry, i.e. axis 20 in FIGS. 1,2, 3 and 4, may be offset from longi tudinal axis 16 by either a purerotation, a parallel translation or both a rotation and translation.Where, as illustrated in FIG. 1, axis 20 is offset from axis 16 by aparallel translation, axis 20 is parallel to axis 16. Where axis 20, asin FIG. 2, is offset from axis 16 by a pure rotation, axis 20 intersectsaxis 16 at the interface, designated 43, between passage 14 and zone 18.The rotation offset angle, indicated as A in FIG. 2, is defined as theminimum angle formed by the intersection of axes 20 and 16 when saidaxes are offset by a pure rotation and is generally from about 90 toless than about 180, and preferably from about 135 to less than about180.

Alternatively, axis 20 may be offset from axis 16 by both a rotation andtranslation. Such a configuration occurs, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and4, when axis 20 and 16: (l do not intersect at the interface, designated43, between passage 14 and zone 18; and (2) are not parallel. In such aconfiguration angle B is defined in that view of apparatus in which theangle is a maximum and is generally from about 90 to less than about180, and preferably from about 135 to less than about 180.

It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that configurations otherthan those shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 may be employed in whichexpansion chamber 17 and second energy tube 23 are positioned such thatlongitudinal axis 16 of tube 13 intersects an impacting surface, as thatterm is herein defined.

Second energy tube 23 is positioned about axis 20 and communicatessuccessively with expansion chamber 17 and stuffer tube 27 for yarnpassage therethrough. While not required, as with tube 13, tube 23 maybe heated to a temperature of from about 40 to 300C. by a suitableexternal heating means, as for example, steam heating coils 44, so as tofurther heat yarn passing therethrough and to increase the levels ofcrimp imparted therein. Second energy tube 23 defines, at the dischargeend thereof, passage 26 which may be of a uniform cross-section or, asis preferred,

which diverges in the'direction of yarn passage therethrough. Innersurface 26a of passage 26 may be either flat or curved, thereby definingpassage 26 to be of various geometric shapes, such as for example,cylindrical, semi-spherical, parabolic, conical, hyperbolic andelliptical, with the conical and parabolic forms being preferred. Wherepassage 26 is conical, as illustrated in FIG. 1, conical angle C isdefined and is generally less than about and preferably less than about45. Particularly outstanding results are obtained when conical angle Cis from about 10 to 20. Where passage 26 is cylindrical in shape,passage 26 preferably is of a diameter which corresponds to the insidediameter of second energy tube 23. A fluid exit plate 46 is located atthe discharge end of passage 26 and is provided with slots, holes or acombination of both to allow heated fluid and yarn to pass therethrough.The construction of such a plate is well known and is described, forexample, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,409,956.

Stuffer tube 27 defines texturizing passage 28 disposed about axis 20and is adapted to contain a compacted yarn mass, designated as yarn plug31 in FIG. 4. Stuffer tube 27 is provided with a plurality of escapevents 29, illustrated in FIG. 1 as being positioned concentric to axis20, which communicate texturizing passage 28 with the atmosphere toallow escape of heated fluid from passage 28. While such arrangement isnot critical, in the preferred embodiment the longitudinal axis oftexturizing passage 28 coincides with axis 20, and vents 29 are disposedso as to cause the exiting heated fluid to be released from passage 28in a direction substantially opposite to the yarn path travel throughapparatus 10 and parallel to axis 20. The term substantially opposite asused herein includes heated fluid discharged from texturizing zone 28 atan angle of to measured on the basis of axis 20 and countercurrent toyarn path travel. While such a concentric arrangement of fluid escapevents is preferred, it is not intended to be limiting. Thus, stuffertube 27 may be provided with aperatures (not shown) located along thelength of passage 28 which are adapted to permit the escape of fluidtherefrom. Alternatively, stuffer tube 27 may be constructed of a gaspermeable material such as a steel mesh screen or micro-porous steel toallow escape of heated fluid from passage 28. While not critical to thepresent invention, texturizing passage 28 may have a larger diameterthan the maximum diameter of diverging passage 26 so as to form anannulus between the inner periphery of texturizing passage 28 and theouter periphery of passage 26.

In the preferred embodiment, fluid contact zone 21 and first energy tubepassage 14 are disposed concentric to longitudinal axis 16, andexpansion zone 18, second energy tube passage 24, passage 26 andtexturizing passage 28 are each disposed concentric to axis 20.

Referring now to FIG. 5, wherein a process employing the apparatus ofthe present invention is illustrated, continuous filament yarn isunwound from yarn supply spool 33 and passed to feeder and draw rolls34, 35 and 36 and is then passed to apparatus 10 wherein the yarn istreated and forms yarn plug 31 as described previously. Crimped andcommingled yarn 32 is then removed from apparatus 10 by end rolls 38 and39 and is then wound on winding roll 40.

In operation of the apparatus of FIG. 1, continuous filament yarn is fedthrough feeder tube 22 into fluid contact chamber 11 into which heatedfluid such as steam is introduced through coaxial nozzle 12, therebycausing the contacted yarn to pass into first energy tube passage 14,wherein the yarn absorbs at least a portion of the heat from the heatedfluid. As discussed above, alternate external heating sources 42 may beapplied to first energy tube 13, thereby further heating the yarnpassing through zone 14. The yarn which, depending on the conditions ofoperation, e.g. the type of yarn, the temperature and pressure employed,is reduced to a semi-plastic state, is then aspirated under theinfluence of the heated fluid into expansion zone 18 of offset expansionchamber 17 wherein the yarn preferably impacts upon a portion ofexpansion chamber wall 19. The impacted yarn is then passed under theinfluence of heated fluid into second energy tube 23, which may also beprovided with external heating coils 44 wherein the yarn absorbsadditional heat from the heated fluid, and is then passed intotexturizing passage 28 wherein the flow of yarn is impeded, therebyestablishing a yarn plug as in conventional stuffer tube 27, such as isdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,409,956. From texturizing zone 28 which maybe operated at a reduced pressure of from about to psig., heated fluidexits via fluid escape vents 29 located concentric to axis 20. Crimpedand commingled yarn is preferably removed from stuffer tube 27 at alinear speed which is slower than the linear speed at which yarn is fedto texturizing passage 28, so as to maintain the yarn plug therein.

By aspirating the yarn into expansion zone 18 under the influence of theheated fluid, the yarn bundle is caused to expand, thereby effectingincreased commingling of adjacent yarn filaments. Furthermore, byimpacting the yarn upon an impacting surface of the present invention acertain amount of twist is imparted to the yarn, thereby furtherincreasing the commingling of adjacent yarn filaments. The yarn which isthus impacted is caused to vibrate within second energy tube passage 24in an unconventional manner which is believed to' further contribute tothe crimp and commingling levels achieved. FIG. 6 illustrates vibrationpatterns in yarn 62 contacted in the apparatus of U.S. Pat. No.3,409,956. As may be seen, this vibration pattern is substantiallysinusoidal. FIG. 7 illustrates the substantially non-sinusoidalvibration which the yarn undergoes in second energy tube passage 24(i.e. the second heat absorbing zone) in the apparatus of the presentinvention. As may be seen from FIG. 7, adjacent yarn filaments arecaused by the vibration to form a folded-wave pattern, the folds ofwhich are exemplified by 60 and 61. This folded-wave pattern is believedto enhance the crimp and commingling properties of the yarn.

The process and apparatus of this invention can be used tosimultaneously crimp and commingle any natural or syntheticplasticizable filamentary material. Thermal plastic material such aspolyamides, e.g poly (epsilon caproamide), poly (hexamethyleneadipamide); cellulose esters; polyesters, e.g. polyethyleneterephthalate, poly (hexahydro-p-xylene terephthalate), etc., andpolyolefins and polyacrylics, e.g. polyethylene and polyacrylonitrile aswell as copolymers thereof, can be treated by the process and apparatusof the present invention.

In addition, both monofilaments and yarns of textile deniers, as well asheavy carpet and industrial yarns (either singly or combined in the formof a heavy tow) may be treated by the present invention. When the yarnto be treated is composed of filaments which are made from syntheticmaterials, a filament of any crosssection type may be treated.Cruciform, Y-shaped, delta-shaped, ribbon, and dumbbell and otherfilamentary cross-sections can be procesed at least as well as roundfilaments and usually contribute still higher levels of crimp andcommingling than is obtained with round filaments.

The process and apparatus of the present invention may be furtherillustrated by reference to the following examples. In the examples theterm crimp bends per inch is determined by examining a length of yarnunder a microscope and counting the number of filament bendings for 1inch of stretched length. The term entanglements per meter" (E.P.M.) isdetermined by passing the yarn through a conventional testing device inwhich a needle is inserted between filaments. Each time the needle ispushed in the direction of yarn motion by a local entanglement, acounter in the device is activated to count the number of entanglementsper meter of the stretched length of the yarn. The term crimp elongationafter boil (C.E.A.B.) is determined by measuring the length of a sampleof crimped yarn at a tensile stress level of 0.002 gram per denier. Theyarn is then boiled in water for 30 minutes at a pressure of 1atmosphere and then dried at a temperature of 150C. for 10 minutes andthen conditioned for a period of 2 hours at a temperature of 23C. and arelative humidity of 65 percent. The length of the conditioned yarn isthen determined at a tensile stress level of 0.5 gram per denier. Thevalue thereby obtained is compared to the length of the unboiled yarnobtained at a tensile stress level of 0.002 gram per denier and thepercent elongation calculated.

EXAMPLE 1 Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, an undrawn, continuousfilament,3,300 denier nylon 6 yarn is fed to a series of 3 feed rolls. Feed roll2 is maintained at a temperature of 100 and feed roll 3 is maintained ata temperature of 180. The draw ratio between feed rolls 1 and 2 is 1.1and between feed rolls 3 and 1 is 3.l. Roll 3 is operated at a linearspeed of 5,000 ft. per minute. From feed roll 3 the yarn is passedthrough an apparatus of the present invention, wherein the yarn istreated as described be low. The treated yarn is removed from thetexturizing zone of the apparatus at a rate of 3,300 ft. per minute byend rolls 4 and 5, the draw ratio between end rolls 5 and 4 being set at1.03. A draw ratio between end roll and feed roll 3 is maintained at0.66. From end roll 5 the yarn is taken up by a Leesona 959 High Speedwinder at a tension of grams.

The yarn is contacted in the fluid contact zone with steam at atemperature of 300C. and a pressure of psig. supplied to the fluidcontact zone through nozzle positioned coaxially to the longitudinalaxis of the fluid contact zone and having an inside diameter of 0.083inch. The yarn and steam are then passed under the influence of thesteam into the first energy tube passage positioned concentric to theabove contact zone axis and having an inside diameter of 0.145 inch anda length of 6.5 inches, in which the yarn is heated to about C. Theheated yarn is then directed under the influence of the steam into theexpansion chamber which defines a conical expansion zone wherein theyarn impacts uppon a portion of expansion chamber wall. The expansionzone forms a conical angle of 16 and is positioned abut an axis ofsymmetry which is offset from the longitudinal axis of the first energytube passage by a 0.2 inch parallel translation. The expansion zone hasa minimum inside diameter at the interface with the second energy tubepassage of 0.16 inch and a maximum inside diameter at the entry end ofsaid expansion zone of 0.5 inch.

The impacted yarn is then passed into the second energy tube passagehaving an inside diameter of 0.16 inch and a length of 1.9 inches,wherein the yarn absorbs additional heat from the steam. The yarn isthen passed through a conical, diverging passage which has a conicalangle of 17, and which expands to a diameter of 0.3 1 inch over adistance of 0.5 inch measured longitudinally along the longitudinal axisof the second energy tube. The yarn is then aspirated into a texturizingpassage having an inside diameter of 0.54 inch and a length of 9 inches,wherein the flow of yarn is impeded thereby establishing a yarn plug.The stuffer tube is provided with 12 fluid exhaust vents having adiameter of 0.094 inch which are spaced symmetrically in an annular ringto discharge fluid from the texturizing pas sage in a directionsubstantially opposite to the direction of yarn travel through thetexturizing passage.

The yarn treated by the above process is determined to have 25entanglements per meter, a crimp elongation after boil of about 28percent, a texture energy of 0.8 X and 28 crimp bends per inch.

EXAMPLE 2 Under the identical process conditions of Example 1, undrawn3,300 denier nylon 6 yarn is passed through an apparatus having aconically shaped expansion zone which has a conical angle of 30 andwhich has a minimum inside diameter of 0.16 inch and a maximum insidediameter of 0.5 inch. All other apparatus dimensions are identical tothose employed in the apparatus of Example 1.

Under the above operating conditions, the treated yarn is determined tohave about 42 entanglements per meter, a crimp elongation after boil of30 percent, a texture energy of 0.8 X 10*, and 29 crimp bends per inch.

EXAMPLE 3 Under the identical process conditions of Example 1, undrawn3,300 denier nylon 6 yarn is passed through an apparatus having aconically shaped expansion zone which has a conical angle of 42 andwhich has a minimum inside diameter of 0.16 inch and a maximum insidediameter of 0.5 inch. All other apparatus dimensions are identical tothose employed in the apparatus of Example 1.

The yarn treated under the above conditions is determined to have 46entanglements per meter, a crimp elongation after boil of 29 percent, atexture energy of 0.8 X 10", and 31 crimp bends per inch.

Although certain preferred embodiments of the invention have beendisclosed for the purpose of illustration, it will be evident to oneskilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

We claim:

1. A process for simultaneously crimping and commingling yarn whichcomprises:

a. passing yarn into a fluid contact zone;

b. contacting said yarn in said fluid contact zone with a heated fluidintroduced into said zone substantially coaxially to the longitudinalaxis of said zone;

0. passing said yarn and said heated fluid into a first heat absorbingzone, wherein said yarn absorbs heat from said heated fluid;

d. directing the yarn under the influence of said heated fluid into anexpansion zone having a crosssectional area at its interface with saidfirst heat absorbing zone larger than the cross-sectional area of saidfirst heat absorbing zone;

e. passing the yarn and said heated fluid from said expansion zone intoa second heat absorbing zone, wherein the yarn absorbs additional heatfrom said heated fluid;

f. said expansion zone and said second heat absorbing zone beingpositioned such that yarn passing from said first heat absorbing zoneimpacts upon an impacting surface;

g. passing the yarn and heated fluid from said second heat absorbingzone into a texturizing zone, wherein the flow of yarn is impeded,thereby establishing a yarn plug; and

h. removing crimped and commingled yarn yarn plug.

2. The process according to claim 1 wherein said heated fluid is steam.

3. The process according to claim 1 wherein said impact surface is insaid expansion zone.

4. The process according to claim 1 wherein said impact surface is insaid second heat absorbing zone.

5. An apparatus for simultaneously crimping and commingling yarn whichcomprises:

a. a fluid contact chamber;

b. yarn feed means for feeding yarn into said fluid contact chamber;

c. heated fluid supply means for introducing heated fluid to said fluidcontact chamber substantially along the longitudinal axis of saidchamber;

(1. a first energy tube wherein said yarn absorbs heat from said heatedfluid, said first energy tube being positioned about a longitudinal axisand communieating with said contact chamber for yarn passagetherethrough;

e. an expansion chamber having a cross-sectional area at its interfacewith said first energy tube which is larger than the cross-sectionalarea of said first energy tube;

f. a second energy tube wherein said yarn absorbs additional heat fromsaid heated fluid;

g. said expansion chamber and said second energy tube being positionedsuch that said longitudinal axis of said first energy tube intersects animpacting surface;

h. said chamber communicating successively with said first energy tubeand said second energy tube for yarn passage therethrough; and

i. a stuffer tube for texturizing said yarn communicating with saidsecond energy tube for yarn passage therethrough.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said impacting surface isin said expansion chamber.

7. An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said impacting surface isin said second energy tube.

8. An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein a diverging passage isdefined at the discharge end of said second energy tube.

from said

1. A process for simultaneously crimping and commingling yarn whichcomprises: a. passing yarn into a fluid contact zone; b. contacting saidyarn in said fluid contact zone with a heated fluid introduced into saidzone substantially coaxially to the longitudinal axis of said zone; c.passing said yarn and said heated fluid into a first heat absorbingzone, wherein said yarn absorbs heat from said heated fluid; d.directing the yarn under the influence of said heated fluid into anexpansion zone having a cross-sectional area at its interface with saidfirst heat absorbing zone larger than the cross-sectional area of saidfirst heat absorbing zone; e. passing the yarn and said heated fluidfrom said expansion zone into a second heat absorbing zone, wherein theyarn absorbs additional heat from said heated fluid; f. said expansionzone and said second heat absorbing zone being positioned such that yarnpassing from said first heat absorbing zone impacts upon an impactingsurface; g. passing the yarn and heated fluid from said second heatabsorbing zone into a texturizing zone, wherein the flow of yarn isimpeded, thereby establishing a yarn plug; and h. removing crimped andcommingled yarn from said yarn plug.
 2. The process according to claim 1wherein said heated fluid is steam.
 3. The process according to claim 1wherein said impact surface is in said expansion zone.
 4. The processaccording to claim 1 wherein said impact surface is in said second heatabsorbing zone.
 5. An apparatus for simultaneously crimping andcommingling yarn which comprises: a. a fluid contact chamber; b. yarnfeed means for feeding yarn into said fluid contact chamber; c. heatedfluid supply means for introducing heated fluid to said fluid contactchamber substantially along the longitudinal axis of said chamber; d. afirst energy tube wherein said yarn absorbs heat from said heated fluid,said first energy tube being positioned about a longitudinal axis andcommunicating with said contact chamber for yarn passage therethrough;e. an expansion chamber having a cross-sectional area at its interfacewith said first energy tube which is larger than the cross-sectionalarea of said first energy tube; f. a second energy tube wherein saidyarn absorbs additional heat from said heated fluid; g. said expansionchamber and said second energy tube being positioned such that saidlongitudinal axis of said first energy tube intersects an impactingsurface; h. said chamber communicating successively with said firstenergy tube and said second energy tube for yarn passage therethrough;and i. a stuffer tube for texturizing said yarn communicating with saidsecond energy tube for yarn passage therethrough.
 6. An apparatusaccording to claim 5 wherein said impacting surface is in said expansionchamber.
 7. An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said impactingsurface is in said second energy tube.
 8. An apparatus according toclaim 5 wherein a diverging passage is defined at the discharge end ofsaid sEcond energy tube.